However, association chief executive Ross Dykes was forced to
apologise days later, after the wording of the slogan was
criticised by the West Indies Players Association and
Dunedin-based former Pakistani international cricketer and
commentator Billy Ibadulla.

Mr Chin took the unusual step of making a statement on the
promotion, and subsequent media storm, during yesterday's
Dunedin City Council infrastructure services committee,
expressing regret for any offence caused.

However, those involved had "completely underestimated the
media's power to misinterpret our message by branding it
'racist'," he said.

In particular, TV3's use of a Ku Klux Klan image while
introducing a news item on the story was "inflammatory", and
a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority was being
considered by Otago Cricket, he said.

"They have taken a meaning out of it which certainly we did
not intend at all, they have highlighted it and they have
highlighted it in a hugely offensive way which I think
everyone takes offence at," he said.

A TV3 spokesman declined to comment when contacted yesterday
afternoon.

The slogan was an Otago Cricket promotion conceived with
input from the DCC, University of Otago, Tourism Dunedin and
Dunedin-based media outlets, and aimed to mirror the
successful "black-out" rugby promotion preceeding July's All
Blacks-Springboks rugby test in Dunedin.

"With the benefit of hindsight, it was naive," Mr Chin said
yesterday.

The mayor of Dunedin needs to listen to what people in 'the
real world' are saying for a change.
The media are not to blame for his foolish remarks.
A person in his position should know how to act and how to
speak without causing offence to minority groups. let's face
it "It's not all white here" and I'm beginning to think "It's
not alright here" either.

"With the benefit of hindsight, it was naive," Mr Chin said
yesterday.
Mr Chin, we pay you to have foresight. How about showing some
leadership and taking responsibility. While there were
several organisations involved in agreeing the slogan, you
are supposedly leader of the city. Irrespective of TV3's
spin, it was not their coverage which offended the West
Indians. Yet again, Dunedinites are made to look like
bumpkins.

Can't our mayor get anything right? Now he blames the media
for 'misinterpreting' the slogan "It's all white here." It's
not a question about being PC but understanding the diverse
nature of our society. Shaking my head...